TiPiK titanium lockpick set for when a paperclip just won’t do

Do you have an EDC setup? Are you always on the lookout for that unique item to carry, the “I never knew I needed it until I needed it” type of item? Then the TiPiK Titanium Lockpick Set may be what you are looking for. I have always been interested in adding a lockpick set to my EDC, but I have not found a set that I thought would meet my needs until I saw the TiPiK set. The TiPiK Titanium Lockpick Set consists of seven picks and one tension wrench. It will be made out of lightweight but strong titanium with several finish options. The lockpicks are designed to be small enough to be carried in almost any key organizer, but can also be carried on key rings or any other creative way you want to come up with. The TiPiK Titanium Lockpick Set is a pre-order item available on Swish for $30, and is scheduled to be delivered in the February 2014 time frame.

FYI: This seems to be using pre-orders as a method of crowdfunding. Brad Martin, the designer, says: “Since lockpicks are against Kickstarter rules, the TiPiK is only available on Swish.com. I’m running this as sort of a companion campaign to my TiKeY Kickstarter campaign, I’ll add the link here as soon as it launches. But please message me on Kickstarter if you have any comments or questions. Thank You!”

Heads up, on several things. One: in most states, possession of lockpicks constitutes “possession of burglary tools” unless you are professionally engaged in a trade which actually needs them. Depending on the state it’s either a misdemeanor or a low-grade felony. Two: titanium actually makes fairly poor lockpicks because it’s too flexible. Spring steel is the metal of choice, and stainless steel is used for environments where corrosion is a concern (like the presence of seawater, for example). You can overcome the flexibility issue somewhat with greater thickness…as it seems has been done here…but then you have trouble with getting freedom of motion in many keyways.

@Rob you make a good point. There is a link on the the Swish site http://toool.us/laws.html that list various state statutes pertaining to lock picks. Although some state statutes are broad you will also need to pay attention to local statutes pertaining to these types of devices as well.

Lockpicks are legal to own and carry in 45 states. Just like a crowbar or a screwdriver, it’s only a crime if you use them for evil.

For example, here’s one sample law:
Code of Alabama – § 13A-7-8 – Possession of burglar’s tools.
(a) A person commits the crime of possession of burglar’s tools if he:
(1) Possesses any [tool]; and
(2) Intends to use the thing possessed in the commission of an offense […]

As the creator of the TiPiKs and the TiKeY currently live on Kickstarter, I don’t appreciate people bashing something that they have no clue about. I’ve had these picks through the professional LockSport community and have had nothing but great things said about them. You can assume Titanium isn’t the correct material for them, and that’s fine, but there is ENGINEERING involved with these, I challenge anyone to try these and tell me they “flex” because it’s not going to happen, please look at the shape of the picks, not on here, but here – http://www.swish.com/details/tipik/ – Look at the top picture. Please don’t bash my product when you haven’t tried them. As for Legality… that’s on you, you break the law it’s your A$$ not mine.

Hm…let me see if I have this right. It’s okay to promote a product without having tried it, but speculation based on experiences with other similar products is out of bounds? That is absolutely not how the world works. And doubly so when it comes to Kickstarter, where you’re asking for funding for a product that isn’t available yet. It behooves everyone to consider whether or not the proposed product actually warrants funding; this is the essence of “caveat emptor,” and it’s the rules by which we all live.

There is a reason why titanium picks are largely absent from the market despite its resilience, extraordinary resistance to corrosion, light weight and near-immunity to metal fatigue. It’s very, very flexible…even more so if it’s 3/2 titanium alloy instead of 6/4 (as is the case with most titanium objects/parts/etc.) This is a simple fact; it’s not personal. Have I tried these picks yet? No…they’re on Kickstarter. I can’t. So, I have to make my best guess based on what I know, what I’ve seen and what I can discern.